Who really lives in New York? Behind the skyline and fast pace are people who make the city feel like home. A city where cultures from every corner of the world, each neighborhood brings its own vibe—and every conversation feels like meeting a new friend. These are three people I met who capture the spirit of the city.
Text by Johanna Karlqvist
Meet Jasmine, a Bronx-based creative chasing style, self-awareness, and a seat at fashion’s top table.
Name: Jasmine Sagai
Instagram: Jasminesagai
“It has shaped me into someone who values both creativity and emotional intelligence,” says Jasmine as we talk about her path into fashion. For her, emotional intelligence goes beyond just understanding feelings—it’s about self-awareness, staying motivated through challenges, and being able to recognize and influence the emotions of others. In a collaborative, fast-paced industry like fashion, those skills are just as crucial as having an eye for design.
We met at the busy intersection of Prince Street and Broadway in SoHo, Manhattan. Jasmine stands out effortlessly in a pair of bermuda shorts, loafers with crisp white socks, a polo shirt, and a beige handbag slung over her shoulder.
“Since I work in Manhattan, where everything’s always moving so fast, it’s nice to go home to a quieter space. It gives me balance and a chance to reset.” Jasmine lives in the Bronx, and being there has taught her to appreciate her solitude. Born in Alexandria, Virginia, and raised in the shadow of the Rockies in Denver, Colorado, Jasmine always had her eyes set on something bigger—and faster.
“Since I was a kid, I’ve always been drawn to New York,” she says with a bright smile. “Shows like Ugly Betty, That’s So Raven, and The Cheetah Girls inspired me so much.” It wasn’t just the characters or the clothes—it was the energy. “I love the vibe here. It’s fast, inspiring, and full of people chasing something.”
Jasmine’s “something” is a future in fashion.“In a dream scenario,” she says, “I’d be a fashion editor at a major magazine and eventually step into a creative director role at a well-known brand.” Right now, she’s focused on staying consistent with the things she’s most passionate about. “I realized I need to invest more in personal projects and really nurture them until I’m proud of the result.” She’s currently building her styling portfolio, learning the ins and outs of branding, and staying close to what inspires her—all steps toward turning that dream into reality.
From a visit at High Valley Books, Brooklyn, New York
Name: Bill Hall
Instagram: highvalleybooks
I pressed the buzzer holding a handwritten note—by appointment only, no sign, just a plain outer door marked with the street number 882. Bill Hall opened the door to his hidden bookstore in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
Stepping inside felt like entering someone’s home—which, in a way, it is. Bill’s passion for books was immediately palpable; this was truly a reader’s paradise.
Since 1999, High Valley Books has been a treasure trove for magazine and book lovers alike. “My first book sale is a bit hazy, but I believe it was a volume of Patrick Leigh Fermor’s memoirs about his 1939 walk from France to Istanbul,” Bill recalls. His first major collection came from a designer for Ungaro who was moving to London. “Soon after, fashion designers began visiting my original shop in Williamsburg to dig through stacks of ’60s French Vogues and rare photography books,” he continues.One collection led to another—and the rest is history.
“Back then, Williamsburg was very different, and I suppose the shop has evolved alongside the neighborhood,” Bill explains. He’s noticed the store becoming busier and the customers younger over time.
In the background, a vinyl spun on a newly acquired turntable as fashion archivists, interior designers, and set decorators hunted for treasures—perfect print references or magazines from lost years. “We have a bit of everything here,” Bill says, showing me a JIL SANDER floppy disk.“I haven’t looked inside yet, but I’m definitely curious about what it holds,” he said. “I enjoy eccentric old instrumental albums and soundtracks, but I also play a lot of Bowie, Eno, and Belle & Sebastian. I’m now selling vinyl as well, with help from a pop-up called Omega Home Music,” Bill says while changing the record. That day, Melissa Levy, a multi-talented artist, was in the store handpicking books from Bill’s collection. First one out for the new series of curated walls at High Wally Books—the walls you see immediately upon entering the shop and Bill’s living room.
I flipped through the magazines, searching for the 1995 issue of Vogue. “We have it downstairs,” Bill said. He led me through a narrow hallway to the basement—low ceilinged and packed full of books and magazines. It was a unique archive from floor to ceiling, containing everything you could imagine. I spotted a shelf with Vogue issues arranged by year and grabbed the one from 1995.
If you ever want book recommendations, Bill’s recent favorites are the ones to trust: Patricia Highsmith, Barbara Pym, Shirley Jackson, and Shirley Hazzard. “I read every night for about half an hour. I just finished Neuromancer, which I highly recommend.”
At ROOME: Where Stylist Lam discovers curated finds
Name: Lam Ngo
Instagram: llamngo
Instagram, ROOME: roome_newyork
Moving to New York was the best decision Lam Ngo ever made. Born and raised in Vietnam, she knew it was time for a change.“New York is really the best city in the world, I moved as soon as I was done with school,” she says and laughs. After graduating from college in Seattle, Lam dove headfirst into the world of fashion, beginning her journey as a freelance stylist.
These days, she can often be found at ROOME, a thoughtfully curated boutique that offers a mix of clothing and accessories—perfect for discovering standout pieces that blend childhood nostalgia with a sharp NYC edge. She walks through the store, the heels of her tall burgundy boots echoing against the concrete floor. Her eyes are fixed on a white track jacket with ruffles at the front. Paired with her boots, she wears plaid minishorts and a sporty jacket.
“I’m not going to pretend fashion is anything more than clothes,” she says, smiling. “I’m literally quoting McQueen in my head as we speak. But for those of us who work in fashion, we’ve all had that moment—when you see a garment or a pair of shoes and something just clicks.”
She lights up as she talks, like the sun coming out from behind a shadow. “You feel this spark—it usually starts with pure appreciation for the art and beauty of it. I mean, who doesn’t love pretty things?” She pauses before continuing, “Then it slowly evolves into curiosity—how was it made, where did it come from, who designed it? Next thing you know, you’re watching a five-hour documentary on Martin Margiela,” she laughs.
That’s exactly how Lam first found her way into fashion—what began as a simple love for aesthetically pleasing objects gradually evolved into a deep, all-consuming passion. Now, it’s something she can’t imagine living without. For her, fashion isn’t just a career—it’s pure joy, full of play, discovery, and endless inspiration.
